Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-09

ton from the incompefeacy Of public en-
ploy6s who bold their places solely rs the
reward Of partisan service aud from the
corfuptIng influence OF those vino promise
and the vicious methods of those who ex-
ptct such rewards. And those who worth.
iIy seek public employment have TIE right
10 insist that merit and competency shall
be recognized instead Of party subser-
viency or The surrender OF honest political
belief"
No man win deny that the President has
made bis acts consistent in all respects with
his utterauces, and the disappointed Gao.
not complain unless II be that they conf.
IDENTITY expected him 20 refuse 10 perform
what he had explicitly promised and to
deny In practice every utterance oil his
whole political life.
Mr.. Cleveland, then. 81 Democratic ac-
cording 10 The doctrines Of Jefferson. the
earliest creed OF Democracy, practlced
through the first twenty eight years OF this
century under four Presidents-tbree OF
whom were Of firginla's greatest Sons
and never denied IN principle or Justice,
except under the erratic rule Of the Ten
nessec statesman.
II Jefferson rather than Jackson was the
founder and apostle OF Democracy, then
indeed is Cleveland consistent son OF the
true faith.
This is an argument, perhaps, more old
fashioned than popular, but Vfglniaus at
least should not object "to frequent re-
curreuce 10 fundamental principles"
Having qUoted so much, may be par
dOned for quoting. In conclusion, from q
still older and greater philosopher. whose
words seem TO take the full measure OF this
subject from every point OF view.
Edmund Burke says: Patty Is body OF
men united for promoting by their joint en-
deayors The national interest upon
some particular principle in which they are
all agreed. For my part, hnd
II impossible 10 conceive that any
one believes in his own politics or
thinks them to be Of any weight who re-
fuses 70 adopt the means OF having them
reduced into practice. IL Is the business
Of the speculative philosopher to marx the
proper ends OF government. 1t is the bus-
ness Of the politician, who is the philoso-
Dbcr in action, to find out proper
means towards those ends and 10
pmpIoy them with effect. Therefore every
honorable connection will avow it is their
| first purpose to pursue every Just method
10 put the men who hold their opinions into
| such condition as may enable them to
cary their common plans into execution,
| with all the power and authority OF the
| state. As this duty II attached 10 certain
| situations, It y their duty TO contend Tor
| these situations. without prescription OF
others, they are bound TO give TO their own
| marty the preference in all things and bv no
| means for private considerations TO accept
any offers OF power in which the whole
body Is not included, nor TO suffer them
selves to be leo, or to be controlled, or to
be OVtrbalanced, in Office or in council, by
those who contradict the very fundamental
principles on which their party Is formed,
and even those upon which every fair con-
ncctiOn must stand
so much for those offices which repre-
sent or express the policy Of the party and
The Administration. whether they be exc
culive, diplomatic, or judicial.
But, adds Burke, by way OF mixing bis
meaning clear:
" such generous contention for po yer,
and such manly aud honorable maXims,
will easily be distinguished from the mean
and interested struggled place and emOlu-
ment. The very style OF such persons VIII
serve to discriminate them from those
numberess impOstOrS, who have deludcd
The ignorant with professions incompatible
with human practice, and have afterwards
incensed them by practices below the level
of vulgar Iectitude."
The President who has planted himself
upon the declarations OF Jefferson and
Burke ought surely 10 be able to stand
firmly AGAINST the Cayil OF the latter day
uolit;clans. B.